The origins of the enmity
The book of Obadiah highlights the relationship between Edom and Israel, and the animosity of Edom towards their “brother” (1:10). However, this is not the first time we read of such a strained relationship between these brotherly nations. In fact, the enmity of Edom towards Israel starts much further back,.
Obadiah (1) – Background – Edom Read More »
When Esau is used to describe the people of Edom it is specifically describing the fleshly thinking and immorality of the people, people with a mindset adverse to God. Obadiah directly shows the fight between the serpent (the Esau mindset), and the woman (a godly mindset), through the conflict of the two seeds.
Obadiah (2): Background – Edom Read More »
The prophecy of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament yet provides a pertinent warning to the children of Edom. It is a prophecy of how their pride and animosity against Israel will spur them into committing crimes against their brother, and the judgments that God will consequently bring upon them.
The pride of Edom is emphasised in this prophecy. We read phrases like “the pride of thine heart” (v3), “that saith in his heart, who shall bring me down” (v3), “though thou exalt thyself” (v4), “spoken proudly” (v12).
Obadiah (4) – Themes in Obadiah Read More »
v1: “The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.”
We might wonder: what is the wisdom of Edom all about? How was this one of the characteristics seen in Esau, Edom, and Doeg? The wisdom here is not the wisdom of God. It is the wisdom that is described elsewhere as “fleshly wisdom” (2 Cor 1:12), “the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor 1:20; 2:6; 3:19), and “this wisdom [that] descendeth not from above” (James 3:15).
From verses 10-14 of Obadiah, we have a list of what may be termed the ‘sins of Edom’. Chiefly, at the start of the list, is their treatment of Jacob, ie: the nation of Israel.
The deliverance of Zion
v15: “For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head”
The “day of the Lord” is a reference to Armageddon (Isa 34:1-8; Rev 16:14-16).
Note the princip…
We are introduced to Armageddon language in Obadiah when we have mention of the “day of the Lord” (v15). This phrase is used in association with many other latter-day prophecies (eg: Isa 2:11-12). We consider this phrase as a herald to sections on Christ’s coming and the Kingdom Age (1 Cor 1:8; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10). For us, this is a positive phrase, where we shall, by God’s grace, see our Lord and Master.
